Method of raising subterranean rivers.



N0.-762,042. PATENTED JUNE 7,'1904. L. P. FRIESTEDT. METHOD 0F RAISING SUBTERRANEAN RIVERS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. a, 1904.

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UNITED STATES atented une '7, 1904.

PATENTV` OEEICE. s

METHOD OF RAISING SUBTERFIANEAN RIVERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,042, dated June 7, 1904.

Application le'd February 3, 1904. Serial No. 191,834. (No model.)

Rivers, of which the following is a specifica-` This invention relates to a method of and means for raising the water-iiow of subterranean rivers and streams that the water may .be used for irrigation, power, and other pur-v poses.

It is a well-known fact that in certain sections of the country there are watercourses underground which never rise to the surface. Again, there are rivers and streams that flow above the surface throughout certain seasons of the year either from heavy rainfall or melting snows and thenfor the remainder of the season sink below the surface and percolate through the sand, gravel, and limestone stratum, leaving the natural level dry.

The object, therefore, of this yinvention is to provide a simple and durable arrangement whereby the watercourse may be permanently brought to the surface without the construction and maintenance of expensive engineering works.

In the drawings, Figure l is a transverse section through a river course and the geological formation of the earth stratum embodying the improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan of a wall composed of metal sheet-piling.

The sheet-piling sections entering into the construction of the wall or damA will ordinarily be of the standard rolled form of beams; but any special form may be used. In this instance the ordinary channel-beam is preferably employed as being best adapted for this particular purpose.

B represents plain beam-sections, the alternating joining sections C being each provided with a pair of Z-irons D, riveted or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, as shown in Fig. 2. The free iianges 3 overlap the joining cornerflanged edges 4 of the beam piling-sections B and provide an edgewise-interlocking connection and prevent lateral displacement when the sections are being assembled and driven into place in a wall structure. The ordinary pile-driver is used in the operation of driving,

ening until the last section is. placed in position, in accordance with the curvature of the earth in the formation of theriver bed or channel. The sections are driven into place one. after the other in continuous order, the engaging edges itting'closely together and with the earthy matter that will work into the in'terstices soon forms a perfectly-tight joint through which no water can escape. The water must now rise to the level of the surface and can be conducted away for irrigation or used for other practical purposes.

The piling-sections may be of any desired lengths as will be necessary to reach hard-pan in preventing the water 'from running underneath.

This method may also be followed in bringing underground rivers and streams to the surface that have never iiowed above ground and the course of which are not indicated by a dry channel or bed. The underground streams are sometimes very wide and shallow; but the ease and facility with whichthe wall of sheet-piling may be continued to any ex'- tent in covering a wide range of territory is apparent. Wings may also be extended from the walls at any desired angle or a complete inclosure constructed and then excavated out to form a natural reservoir or basin for storage purposes. No excavating or other preliminary work is required preparatory to driving the piling into place.

rock across the line of a watercourse, said piling-sections being loosely interlockcd edgewise and forming a continuous wall structure.

3. The method herein described of raising underground rivers and streams to the surface, which consists in the employment of metal beam sections assembled edgewise against lateral displacement and driven into the earth to a depth below that of the watercourse and forming a solid wall structure bisecting the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUTHER P. FRIESTEDT.

lVitnessesz L. B. COUPLAND, G. E. CHURCH. 

